Council Seeks More Details on Sewer Fix
The leaking main trunk sewer line was a major topic of discussion at the October 19 Barnesville Village Council Meeting.
Village solicitor Richard Myser, following direction provided at the previous meeting, introduced Resolution #4060 and provided instructions on how the measure could be passed on an emergency basis, waving the required three readings.
“Roger (Deal) spoke to me about passing another Emergency Resolution foregoing any bidding because of the sewer line leak to permit a contractor to replace the main sewer trunk line to the wastewater treatment plant in the village of Barnesville, this to be done without the public bidding of the project and declaring this to be an emergency,” Myser said.
Deal, responding to questions by council president Brad English, reported he spoke with OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) about funding.
“The biggest problem with emergency funding is the age of the pipe that is way past its useful life and that we should have replaced it 50 years ago,” Deal said, adding that he spoke with the mayor and we decided to apply “and if we’re told no, then we’re told no.”
The hold up is OWPC demanded a cost estimate stamped by an engineer and as of the meeting, the village did not have one. A majority of council members were interested in more details on the project, including more details on cost that may run between $300,000 to a half a million dollars.
When quizzed about the amount of time the leak has existed, Jean Rockwell Cooper, owner of the land where the leak is allowing sewage into the creek, estimated 10 years.
Deal and Mayor Hershberger, however, indicated the heavy rains over the summer and the shifting creek bed, have worsened the situation. Deal noted adjacent landowner Mike Cook brought the matter to his attention a few weeks ago.
Upon Deal’s recommendation, councilmember Terry McCort made a motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution as an emergency. Councilmember Robyn Misner seconded the motion.
The measure failed on a 4-2 vote, setting a second reading at the Nov. 2 meeting.
Street and Alleys
Adam Ackerman said paving South Broadway Street was completed Saturday by Shelly & Sands with backfilling behind curbs with topsoil remaining to be completed.
“I want to thank the residents of South Broadway. I know it’s been painful, but it’s a lot nicer street now. They have better water pressure and it looks really good,” Ackerman said.
Hershberger said representatives of Belomar, the regional transportation agency, would attend the next meeting to answer questions about installing a roundabout at the intersection of Shamrock Drive and East Main Street.
The mayor handed council members an illustrated 14-page report on the proposal that came about as part of the Safe Routes to School application submitted to the state by the village last year. Hershberger noted ODOT will not permit a traffic light at the intersection indicating a roundabout is the answer.
The report indicates there have been 30 crashes on the two streets within 500 feet of the intersection in the past five years.
“I don’t think that we need it,” Council member Mark Lucas said, indicating he felt the number of accidents was not alarming.
Other Business
Payments totaling $282,126.77 were approved as was a building permit for W. Jean Carpenter at 602 N. Lincoln for a new metal roof.
Fire Chief Chris Hendershot received approval to appoint Alex Fluharty and Mackenze Garbrandt to both the EMS and fire rosters as part-time employees. The two currently are working with Fairview VFD.
Deal shared that local funeral home director Chase Milburn would attend the next meeting to discuss “green burials,” a practice that is gaining popularity throughout the country.
Deal also reminded council that the next step in bidding process for the North water project will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting on Oct. 20.
Council approved a request to close East Main Street and one block of West Main Street for the Christmas Parade, the evening of Saturday, Dec. 5.
The next council meeting is set for 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 2, in council chambers in the municipal building.
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